I am looking for resources (preferably books) on how castles were built, say, why stairs are spiralled in one direction and not the other, or what are the pros&cons of circular towers vs. octagonal ones, or the considerations for putting internal and external defence rings, the height and thickness of walls, or the differences between how the castles were built in different countries, etc. Thanks in advance!
posted by noztran on Dec 2, 2009 - 9 answers

Is there a Medieval Linguist in the house? I need a very short conversation between Cistercian nuns in Saxony translated into Medieval Latin. Any help so I don't sound like a complete idiot warmly welcomed. [more inside]
posted by The Whelk on Oct 23, 2009 - 7 answers

How was print produced and distributed during the early Medieval period? [more inside]
posted by slowcat on Oct 5, 2009 - 10 answers

Drafty castles, stone construction, floors strewn with rushes, noble ladies' trailing gowns... Anyone who's read any historical fiction set in the Middle Ages is familiar with these popular Medieval motifs, but I have been troubled by a number of questions about these items. Perhaps we have some period history mavens who can ease my confusion? (Warning: Long! Strewn! Possibly moldy.) [more inside]
posted by taz on Sep 23, 2009 - 28 answers

I love the Medieval and Rome Total War series of PC games. But what I most love about them is the "dynasty simulator" aspect. Are there other games like this? [more inside]
posted by T.D. Strange on Sep 17, 2009 - 11 answers

Where are there picture galleries of medieval wood carving (both in situ eg: misericords, pew ends, ecclesiastical accessories like baptism fonts, etc. and free standing figural carving like those of Tilman Riemenschneider, for example) online? [more inside]
posted by Chrischris on Aug 31, 2009 - 3 answers

Heraldry buffs, can you help? I've been googling and flicking through ordinaries to no avail because I don't even know the name for this strange medieval symbol to begin with [more inside]
posted by Flitcraft on Aug 5, 2009 - 16 answers

Looking for a flash game from a few years ago that was a kind of top-down view of battles, where you set your army up in formation at one side of a grid, and command them to do different tasks. The enemy is at the other side of the grid. IIRC it was medieval-esque, but possibly as you progressed through the game, you might have traveled forward through time as well. [more inside]
posted by Petrot on May 20, 2009 - 12 answers

Latin scholars, please help with the translation of this wonky medieval titulus [more inside]
posted by RedReplicant on Apr 18, 2009 - 6 answers

I'm looking for the best books about life in the middle ages. I am keeping the question as open as possible but I do have a few areas of specific interest. [more inside]
posted by fire&wings on Mar 14, 2009 - 25 answers

Stand-alone fantasy book recommendations? [more inside]
posted by Jaybo on Feb 19, 2009 - 57 answers

medieval sign generator link? [more inside]
posted by nikko on Aug 6, 2008 - 6 answers

AskMe Reference Desk: Pre-industrial production and trade of leather and leather goods - how did it work? [more inside]
posted by CKmtl on Jul 6, 2008 - 5 answers

Where can I find information on historical paladins? [more inside]
posted by magodesky on May 27, 2008 - 3 answers

Emergency Medieval Latin translation? Yes, you read that correctly. [more inside]
posted by Ignatius J. Reilly on Apr 1, 2008 - 5 answers

I'm writing a story about medieval , and I need historically-accurate backdrops/minor plot elements that relate to conspiracies, intrigues, and crackpot theories from Europe in the 900s-1400s A.D. [more inside]
posted by Chaotician on Mar 14, 2008 - 38 answers

Darkon movie and LARP-ing question: Dude, where's my phalanx? What's with the stupid battle tactics? [more inside]
posted by Cool Papa Bell on Nov 13, 2007 - 12 answers

Last minute Halloween costume help! I need a costume with a veil. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 25, 2007 - 19 answers

In relation to printing/publishing history, I'm curious as to how and why latin was phased out in secular books. [more inside]
posted by peacay on Aug 24, 2007 - 19 answers

In Medieval times how long would it take for a diplomat, merchant, or otherwise well funded individual to travel from, say Paris to Moscow? London to Constantinople?
posted by parallax7d on Feb 19, 2007 - 13 answers

Cesar Milan ("The Dog Whisperer") occasionally wears a black shirt bearing a logo that looks like a crowned boxing lion (think medieval England). What make is it and where can I get one?
posted by macadamia on Feb 17, 2007 - 11 answers

Trying to find the name of this 90s-2000s medieval-themed metal band that has a video where the lead singer walks around a castle singing and posing on the ramparts while the guitarists play solos. [more inside]
posted by destro on Nov 6, 2006 - 13 answers

English Juvenile Historical Fiction: Help me find three books, which are written in an intelligent "teaching" style loosely based on real events. Plenty... [more inside]
posted by ninazer0 on Oct 17, 2006 - 5 answers

I'm looking for book recommendations on feudal politics in Europe, something which gives a vivid but accurate depiction of what politics was like before the rise of strong national governments: the importance of personal loyalties, hostage-taking, assassination, mercenaries. [more inside]
posted by russilwvong on Oct 12, 2006 - 11 answers

I'm looking for a poster that used to hang in my grandmother's kitchen. [more inside]
posted by vernondalhart on Apr 22, 2006 - 4 answers

UKJobsFilter: So, the medieval banqueting centre I've been playing Robin hood at for the past 16 years just rang me up to say they're selling the building to developers, and at the end of April that's it, all done. I've been self-employed for most of that time and have been invoicing on a 'per gig' basis for years now, but I'm wondering if, as they've easily (by a factor of lots) been my main employer for those sixteen years whether a 'that's your lot, chum' is all I'm getting, or is there a 'self-employed severance' for long term invoicers?
posted by timpollard on Feb 13, 2006 - 9 answers

I'm looking for information about medieval guitar music, specifically useful scales/chord progressions, techniques, and (especially) tabs. [more inside]
posted by baphomet on Oct 16, 2005 - 8 answers

What are the oldest realistic landscape paintings (or drawings)? [more inside]
posted by bumpkin on Aug 2, 2005 - 5 answers

A couple years ago I had a call back audition with a singing group called Chanticleer. Part of the audition was sight reading medieval notation [pdf]. Having never learned to read medieval notation, I failed this portion of the audition miserably. I am a very good sight reader of standard musical notation, but I find myself struggling very much with medieval notation. I have a liber usualis (I got mine free. Yes, I'm lucky.), and I found this great site with midi files of the tunes (They match, some of the time, I think.), but I'm still having problems. Any suggestions?
posted by Igor XA on Jan 25, 2005 - 7 answers

I am looking for either books or online resources for Bayeux Tapestry - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayeux_Tapestry - style illustrations (or any other book/site that depicts depict medieval life.) So far, the illustrations on the web are of relatively small size or poor quality.
posted by turbanhead on Dec 10, 2004 - 4 answers